On Feb 28 this year, the Sarawak High Court dismissed an ex-parte application submitted by Padungan assemblyperson and DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) vice-chairperson Wong King Wei to prevent former Sarawak chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud from accepting the appointment as Sarawak Governor or Yang Di-Pertua Negeri. DAP’s Wong has the strength of the state’s constitution to back his claim.

According to Article 2 (2) of the Sarawak state constitution, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri should not hold any office of profit and shall not engage in any commercial enterprise. Abdul Taib however, as is public knowledge, is a director of Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd and holds 400,000 shares in the same, since May 2007.

This clear violation of the constitution, however, was not enough for the court to stop the appointment as it has no jurisdiction over the matter, according to Sabah High Court Judge Chew Soo Ho.

For his attempt to uphold the state constitution on behalf of all Sarawakian, Wong has been ordered to pay RM7,000 to Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abdul Taib in costs.

This blatant disregard for the constitution, the highest law of the land, not only shows the judiciary’s inability to fulfil its mandate but also highlights the disrespect that the state’s ruling Barisan Nasional government has for the law.

We, the Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth, stand in solidarity with Wong King Wei in upholding the constitution of Sarawak. This legal matter is not a personal case of Wong King Wei, but rather a matter of public interest, which the Barisan Nasional must take note.

We are therefore launching a campaign to raise the RM7,000 in cost due to Abdul Taib from Dapsy members as well as members of the public, to demonstrate our solidarity with Wong King Wei and our solidarity to all efforts to uphold the constitution of Sarawak and the well-being of all her citizens. This fundraising campaign will run for 10 days from July 16 to 26, 2014.

Members of the public who wish to contribute can kindly bank in donations to account: DAP Socialist Youth Malaysia (Public Bank), account number 3189-4183-03. For more information or enquiries, please contact donate4sarawak@gmail.com .